On May 22, 2025, reporters documented the progress of the fire at the A.J. Plus Hotel on Pattaya Soi 3 in the northern Pattaya area, Moo 6, Nai Klang Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province. At the time of the incident, approximately 240 guests from 120 rooms were forced to evacuate the building in chaos.

Four people were injured in total: three guests—two Thai women and one Indonesian boy—suffered smoke inhalation and injuries during evacuation. The fourth victim was Thawatchai, a 40-year-old hotel employee who attempted to contain the fire but sustained approximately 20% burns and smoke inhalation. His condition was serious and he was transported to a nearby hospital.

Hotel Managing Director Athinath Wattanaphrom revealed that preliminary staff interviews suggest the fire was likely caused by an electrical short circuit somewhere on the rooftop, though the exact location remains unknown. He stated the hotel is awaiting official investigation results from relevant authorities.

Following the incident, the hotel evacuated all guests and temporarily arranged alternative accommodation at nearby hotels while awaiting safety inspections. The hotel apologized to all guests and emphasized that customer safety is the top priority, committing to full support for those affected. Initial damage assessment estimates total approximately 25 million baht.

Eight Thai nationals crossed back into Thailand after working at an online gambling casino in Laos for only 10 days before authorities shut it down. They attempted to smuggle 127 mobile phones across the Mekong River back to Nong Khai, claiming the devices were used to transfer funds between gambling website customers.

At 11:00 AM on May 22, 2025, officers from the Nong Khai Customs Office, Immigration Bureau, military, and police jointly apprehended Ms. Sukanya, 38; Mr. Manas, 32; Mr. Praphruek, 20; Mr. Niphon, 23; Ms. Hattairat, 24; Mr. Somphorn, 31; Mr. Chatchai, 36; and Ms. Orthhai, 24—all Thai nationals—along with 127 mobile phones.

During routine screening at the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge border checkpoint in Muang Nong Khai, officers stopped a Hyundai vehicle (registration Kb 0437, Kamphaengphet) entering from Laos. The driver was Laotian with eight Thai passengers inside. Upon inspection of their luggage, officers discovered large quantities of hidden mobile phones, totaling 127 units, and detained all passengers.

Under interrogation, all eight confessed to traveling to operate an online gambling website at a Laos casino location. They launched the website on May 10, 2025, but it was shut down after just 10 days by Laotian authorities. They decided to return to Thailand to resettle. The mobile phones were equipment used to process financial transfers between gambling website customers and were being transported for potential future operations.

Authorities charged them with illegal importation of goods (mobile phones) without customs procedures. Police are investigating potential connections to scam operations and call centers, with the case being forwarded to Muang Nong Khai Police Station for further legal proceedings.

On May 22, 2025, Deputy Commander Theeyaphat Rangsipramanakul of Nong Khai Immigration, along with immigration officials, received custody of 102 Thai nationals suspected of involvement in scamming operations from Laos at the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge checkpoint in Muang Nong Khai District. Among them was 33-year-old Phongthep from Nonthaburi, subject to arrest warrant No. 125/2566 issued on January 13, 2566, facing charges including fraud, impersonation, gang membership, transnational organized crime participation, computer fraud, and money laundering, with the Anti-Scamming Division handling the case.

During interrogation, Phongthep stated that in 2566, a friend named Aek invited him to work as a call center employee in Cambodia. He illegally crossed the border through Sakaew Province and was detained for 12 days upon arrival. When offered illegal work, Phongthep refused and was threatened for payment of 30,000 baht or to have relatives send money. Unable to comply, he was tortured with electric shocks and forced to read scripts impersonating a police officer receiving complaints for two months before escaping back to Thailand. In mid-April 2567, seeing an online job posting for packaging work in Laos, he crossed the border illegally through Nakhon Phanom Province to Savannakhet Province in Laos. Though employers provided accommodation, he was arrested by Lao authorities and deported to Thailand before starting work.

On May 22, Social Development and Human Security Minister Nikorn Somklang, accompanied by Deputy Education Minister Akkaranant Kanngittinant, led senior officials to Ban Ta Tum School in Kanchanaburi province to launch the 'Creating Opportunities, Building Knowledge for the Future' activity under the 'Kanchanaburi Quality of Life Development Project for All Ages—Leaving No One Behind' program. The delegation distributed educational scholarships and relief supplies while consulting with teachers and community leaders on education development approaches.

Minister Nikorn stated that the field visit aimed to integrate responses to aging populations and declining birth rates by accelerating the Children and Youth Council of Wang Dong Subdistrict in cooperation with the community, while equipping education to develop children's potential for future readiness. He confirmed support for teacher housing repairs, poverty assistance funds, and training budgets for community networks to sustainably improve quality of life across all age groups.

Deputy Minister Akkaranant noted that Ban Ta Tum School exemplifies the Foundation for Innovation in Northern Neighborhoods (FINN Model), emphasizing project-based learning and vocational skills. The school won the gold medal for 'One School, One Profession' and maintained its White Diamond institutional rating for three consecutive years, demonstrating that education connected to real-world practice produces tangible results.

The officials also inspected teacher housing and school facilities to understand infrastructure issues and student needs, and reviewed information on nearby small schools to consider consolidation strategies for efficient budget allocation and maximum benefit. Deputy Minister Akkaranant emphasized that the primary goal is to deliver genuine benefits to the area by quickly repairing requested teacher housing into safe zones and coordinating with the Social Development Ministry to repair residents' homes, stressing that development success requires collaborative multi-dimensional efforts to ensure genuine benefits for the community.

After Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford thanked everyone following his selection for England's 2026 World Cup squad while notably omitting Manchester United, his former club, he has now issued a clarification.

Rashford's departure from Man United under Ruben Amorim was contentious before he was loaned to Aston Villa and Barcelona, where he regained his form and earned his return to the England squad. He posted on Instagram Stories: "Special thanks to Unai Emery, Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, Aston Villa, Barcelona and England for believing in me during a difficult time." The omission of Manchester United from the message sparked widespread criticism.

Shortly after, Rashford took to Twitter/X to clarify: "To be clear about my Instagram story, it was not a dig at anyone whatsoever. I am a Manchester United fan and will continue to be a Manchester United fan. I was simply showing appreciation to the clubs and coaches I've worked with over the past 18 months. They played a crucial role in my selection for England this time."